Bruce Lee Address History

Seattle WA

After returning to the United States in 1959 (Bruce was born in America) he lived and worked at Ruby Chow's restaurant, 1122 Jefferson Street, Seattle WA 98104 (at the corner of Broadway and Jefferson). The building is no longer there and is now the parking lot for First Hill Medical Building. Click each picture for a larger version.

As I walked down Boren Avenue from the old Ruby Chow location towards Seattle's Chinatown, I realized Bruce had likely walked this same path many times before me. It was a remarkable realization knowing that I was literally walking in the footsteps of the master

Bruce and his students would often work out wherever there was space including parking garages, public parks, etc. One of the first locations where they would gather to exercise and train is in the Chinatown area at 651 S. Weller St, Seattle WA 98104. This is now the Ho Ho Restaurant (653 S. Weller St). Click each picture for a larger version

Bruce would sometimes demonstrate gung fu at the Chong Wa Benevolent Association hall in Chinatown at 522 7th Avenue S, Seattle WA 98104. Bruce taught gung fu lessons to the members of Boy Scout Troop 54 here at Chong Wa and later at the Chinese Southern Baptist Church. Click each picture for a larger version​

The Chinese Southern Baptist Church in Chinatown was located at 925 S King St, Seattle WA 98104 (10th Avenue S and King St). Click each picture for a larger version

Early on Bruce used the address 908 8th Avenue, Seattle WA, the address of student Taky Kimura's 1st Hill Grocery store (now an apartment complex). Bruce listed this address on his United States Selective Service application. Click each picture for a larger version

The TaiTung Restaurant in Chinatown at 655 S. King St, Seattle WA 98104 was one of Bruce's favorite places to eat

Another favorite of Bruce and his students was Gim Ling Restaurant at 516 7th Ave S, Seattle WA 98104. The first picture is as it appeared in the 60's, the second photo as it appears today. The last photo shows the faded Gim Ling sign - the only remnant of the restaurant's earlier days. Click each picture to see a larger version.

Bruce opened his first gwoon (school) at 609 S. Weller St, Seattle WA 98104. This is now the Mongolian Hot Pot restaurant

Bruce's second gwoon was established a few blocks away at 418 1/2 8th Avenue South, Seattle WA 98104 next to the Szechuan Noodle Bowl restaurant. Some sources list the address as 420 1/2 (or B) 8th Avenue South in the basement of the actual Szechuan Noodle restaurant

Bruce's 3rd gwoon was opened in 1963 near the University of Washington campus at 4750 University Way NE, Seattle WA 98105. He lived in the back of the restaurant at the same address. Taky Kimura became his senior instructor​​​

Bruce attended and graduated from the Edison Technical School in 1960. It is now the Seattle Central Community College, 1701 Broadway (Broadway and Pine), Seattle WA 98122. Bruce and his first student Jesse Glover used to workout in this area near some steps on the back of the college off Harvard Avenue. Click each picture for a larger version

Bruce performed gung fu demonstrations at Garfield High School, 400 23rd Avenue, Seattle WA 98122. This is where he met his future wife Linda Emery

Bruce attended the University of Washington, 4014 University Way NE, Seattle WA 98195​

Sometimes Bruce taught gung fu classes near these impressive columns on the University of Washington campus. Click each picture to see a larger version

After Bruce passed away his body was shipped from Hong Kong to Butterworth Mortuary, 300 East Pine St, Seattle WA 98122. Butterworth has since moved to 520 W Raye St, Seattle WA 98119. This location is now Groff Murphy Lawyers of Seattle.

Both Bruce and Brandon Lee are buried at Lakeview Cemetery, 1554 15th Avenue E, Seattle WA 98122. Many are unaware that Bruce's current headstone is not the original one it's actually the third. The original featured a picture of Bruce from Enter the Dragon. The second, featuring Bruce wearing glasses, was vandalized and subsequently replaced with the current headstone. Click each picture to see a larger version

The first picture is the original headstone. The second is the replacement after the first was vandalized. ​

About 30 feet to the right of Bruce and Brandon's graves (as you face the graves) are the headstones of Bruce's first student Jesse Glover and second student Ed Hart.

Linda (Emery) LeeLinda Emery was born March 21st, 1945 in Seattle WA

Linda lived in this house at 2332 11th Avenue E., Seattle WA 98102 at the time she met Bruce. Click each picture to see a larger version

Linda and Bruce were married at the King County Courthouse on August 17, 1964. Click the picture to see a larger version of their marriage certificate.